KUWAIT CITY, April 17: The Chairperson of Kuwait Human Rights Society Ali Al-Baghli disclosed an estimated 220,000 Kuwaitis hold Saudi Arabian citizenship, and they are living in the Kingdom enjoying the full benefits of dual citizenship, reports Al-Rai daily.
Al-Baghli made this remark during a live interview on Al-Rai Satellite Channel, asserting the declaration of the Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah about the government stripping the Kuwaiti nationality from holders of dual citizenship is a mere political statement, which the government will not implement.
He said dual citizenship holders have lived like this for many years, and went on to condemn the recent deportation of Egyptians who demonstrated in favor of the Egyptian presidential hopeful Dr Mohammad El-Baradei. He wondered why the Interior Ministry did not take a similar step against Iranians who demonstrated in front of their embassy in support of the opposition presidential candidate Mir Mousavi.
He noted the problem in Kuwait is with the interest it shows in issues, even before the concerned people react to them. “Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak did not react when supporters of El-Baradei thronged to welcome the man at the airport,” he cited.
He called for a swift approval of the social rights of Bedoun, while granting citizenship to deserving ones, in order to end the issue which has created embarrassment for Kuwait in the international community.
He commended decision by the Social Affairs and Labor Minister to fix the minimum wage of expatriate workers at KD 60, describing it as a brilliant and brave decision capable of removing Kuwait from the blacklist of human trafficking. He craved for law which will protect the rights of more than 600,000 domestic workers in the country, considering some people are using them like slaves.
He added the threats and demonstrations by workers in the oil sector about privatization law are exaggerated, particularly after the National Assembly voted with overwhelming majority of 33 lawmakers in favor of the decision, and we must learn to respect democratic principles.